This study confirmed the late South African higher education researcher Dr Prem Singh’s observation that higher education institutions seldom critically analyse or research their own practices from an academic perspective. This research project was undertaken in the spirit of addressing this incongruity. Many issues were raised during the course of the study to which time constraints did not permit me to do justice. Several areas warranting further investigation are noted in the relevant chapters throughout the study in the hopes that other researchers will continue to explore RPL at the postgraduate level. An area worthy of immediate further
144 investigation however, is how the dropout rates at Master’s level at Rhodes University (19% overall, and 28% for AEG admissions during the period 1999-2009) compare to national and international norms, what factors influence dropouts, and whether the rates could be reduced by providing additional support to all Master’s students, regardless of their admission status.
9.6
Concluding Remarks
A few months into the study, I realised that I had in fact taken on two distinct research projects: Access to Master’s level study, and Postgraduate Readiness. While it was essential to understand the concept and context of postgraduate access in order to develop recommendations on postgraduate readiness, a separate thesis could have been written on each area. I sincerely hope that other researchers will continue to explore the field of access to postgraduate studies and will continue to interrogate assumptions made about the academic project and the people who participate in it. A quote from an institutional executive surely provides sufficient motivation for a continued interest in this area:
Appropriately qualified does not mean best qualified [for the purposes of access and success].
In conclusion, the last word belongs to an optimistic Head of Department at Rhodes University:
There could be nothing finer than people getting the opportunity and succeeding. Universities have an obligation to provide education to those with talent and ability who, for whatever reason, could not get a degree. We have to be sensitive and open-minded and give people a chance. Some won't make it but those who deserve it will prevail and succeed.
145
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APPENDIX 1